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Seattle - a brief overview

Europeans tend to think mostly of Seattle as the home of Nirvana and Frasier. Its skyline is also one of America’s most recognisable thanks to the unique Space Needle. There’s a lot more to one of the North West’s most important cities, of course, whose alternative spirit has led to boldly unique districts and a lively bar circuit.

It is also the birthplace of Starbucks and Microsoft, while Boeing’s jets are constructed just up the road. Known as the Rainy City, Seattle sprawls across several hills towards Elliott Bay, which in turn seeps out into the Pacific. And with mountains to the east, there’s plenty of natural beauty to enjoy.

Top 10 sights in Seattle

Space Needle

Apart from offering 360-degree views of the city, the iconic Space Needle is a 1960s vision of the future. From its 160-metre high observation deck it’s possible to see across the city, from the mountains to downtown and across Elliott Bay.

Washington State Ferries

It’s essential to take one of the state ferries for a view of Seattle’s skyline and the downtown waterfront.

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Country Information

Country overview

From its vast plains, snow-covered mountains, deep forests and strange rock formations, to soaring skyscrapers and a thunderous cultural scene, the USA is a collage of extremes. Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of Manhattan’s unforgettable skyline, your first ride in a yellow cab, the ubiquitous hamburger joints, yawning expanses of prairie, the sweet strains of New Orleans jazz, or the neon-lit excesses of Las Vegas.

Marvel at the thunderous spectacle of Niagara Falls in northern New York, or seek an antidote to urban chaos amidst the flat farmland of the Midwest. Then there are the black hills of South Dakota, the dramatic mountain and ocean landscape of California’s Pacific Coast Highway and the world-famous Grand Canyon.

Geography

Covering a large part of the North American continent, the USA shares borders with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The country has coasts on the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The State of Alaska, in the northwest corner of the US, is not part of the continental US; it is separated from the rest of the USA by Canada. Similarly, Hawaii is not part of the “lower 48” states; it lies in the central Pacific Ocean.

The country’s dependent territories are offshore and have distinct geographies of their own; the majority are islands.

The third-largest country in the world (after the Russian Federation and Canada), the USA has an enormous diversity of geographical features, including mountains, plains, and coastal zones. Though there are many cities that are densely populated with more manmade features than natural ones, there are also vast rural areas that are far more sparsely populated. The climate ranges from subtropical to arctic, with a corresponding breadth of flora and fauna.

General knowledge

Key facts

Population: 319 millions (estimate 2018)

Capital: Washington, DC.

Language

English, with significant Spanish-speaking minorities.

Currency

US Dollar (USD; symbol $) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of $100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, though the $2 bill is rare and is not in high circulation. Coins are in denominations of $1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

Electricity

120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs have two flat pins with or without a third round grounding pin.

Public holidays

Below are listed public holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period.

Note: States can recognize other days as state holidays that are not federal holidays.

Standing in ice cold water to get your perfect shot: crazy or inspirational?

Moritz Aust always dreamed of exploring Oregon’s wild and poetic nature with his camera. Now the 17-year-old fine arts photographer and high school student from Schweinfurt got the chance to travel to his dream destination. Join him as he goes on a truly life-changing adventure!

The #inspiredby series takes you on a trip around the world. Experience the world from the perspective of artists, musicians, athletes and our very own crew, whether at work or play! See what impact and meaning traveling has for each of these individuals and let their stories inspire you.

Calendar of events

Northwest Flower & Garden Show

The Northwest Flower & Garden Show is five days of gardening fun, live music and food and wine that will entertain the whole family. Expect a wide range of spectacular show gardens on display put together by expert florists, gardeners and designers. There is also a great flower market, and several gardening professionals are available to share tips, tricks and ideas at over 100 seminars. And there is a section for the kids as well. A very popular feature is the floral contest, attracting plenty of local talent each year.

Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival

A celebration of Japanese culture with dance, music, colourful costumes, martial arts and tea ceremonies. There are Taiko drumming displays, artisan demonstrations and food stalls dishing up Japanese delicacies from curry-rice to octopus dumplings to Manju sweets. The festival was founded after Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Miki gave Seattle 1,000 cherry trees on the occasion of the USA’s bicentenary.

Northwest Folklife Festival

A celebration of folk music, art, dance and stories, the Northwest Folklife Festival has been entertaining fans since 1972. As well as a packed programme of performances encompassing the region’s ethnic and cultural diversity, there’s a family zone with hands-on activities, crafts, singing, dancing and games. Each year also has a special cultural focus centred on a particular group or community.

Seattle International Film Festival

Screening a great programme of over 400 features, shorts, documentaries and animation films, the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) is one of the biggest events of its kind in the USA and one of the most influential film festivals in the world. Over more than three weeks, it attracts thousands of visitors ranging from film professionals to students of the art form. Celebrating the art of the moving image, the event aims to inform, educate and entertain its audiences.

Fremont Fair

Venue: Most activities take place west of Fremont Avenue North on North 35th Street and North 34th Street/Canal Street

Each year the community of Fremont celebrates the Summer Solstice with a weekend programme of free events and entertainment spanning art, music, dance and performance. Music is performed on three different stages and the festival site is bursting with activities and entertainment ranging from yoga and art workshops to the lavish Fremont Solstice Parade. Although entry is free, the event aims to raise money to help support non-profit Fremont organisations.

Bite of Seattle

Bite of Seattle is a three-day food festival at the Seattle Center that ranks among the most popular of the city’s summer events. An estimated 75,000 people attended the first Bite in 1982, with only 25 restaurants taking part. It now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and hosts over 50 restaurants and more than 30 food producers. Food is no longer the only attraction and there is now live music, cooking demonstrations and family entertainment too.

Bumbershoot

Held annually over the Labor Day Weekend, the Bumbershoot Festival first took place in the 1970s and has become one of the biggest and best-loved festivals in Seattle’s summer calendar. Primarily a music festival, Bumbershoot also features a great line-up of alternative acts and entertainment including comedy, dance, film, visual arts, theatre and literary performances. A great event for visitors of all ages, there are also plenty of children’s events, arts and crafts markets and food stalls. This hugely popular event attracts well over 150,000 visitors each year.

Fremont Oktoberfest

Venue: Fremont, with the entrance located at the junction of Phinney Avenue North and North 35th Street

Featuring the biggest beer garden in the Northwest and over 100 microbrews and craft beers, the Fremont Oktoberfest is a fun-filled and charming event with events and attractions for all the family. Among the ingredients of this Oktoberfest are a 5K beer run, live Seattle bands, Dogtoberfest Sunday, a kids’ area with zucchini (courgette) racing, and the incredible spectacle of the Texas Chainsaw Pumpkin Carving.

Seattle Restaurant Week

Two events, ‘Dine Around Seattle’ and ‘Seattle Restaurant Week’, merged into a big gastronomic event. It is a bi-annual dining promotion (spring and autumn) and a chance to enjoy prix-fixe dinners and lunches at some of Seattle’s top fine-dining establishments. Prices do not include drinks, tax or tip and each restaurant decides whether they want to offer lunch (two courses), dinner (three courses) or both.

All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.

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Hotels in Seattle

ListMap

As you’d expect of one of the most important cities in the North West, Seattle has an abundance of top-quality hotels.

Many of the big international chains are here, but there are also some old classic hotels with historic architecture that are worth considering.

Hyatt at Olive 8

1635 8th Avenue WA 98101 Seattle USA Show on map

Category: Expensive

The recently built hotel has a terrific gym and glorious pool, plus impressive views of the city.

Jazz Alley

Good food and excellent cocktails. The artists who perform there could easily fill a concert hall.

Lufthansa tip

Lufthansa offers daily nonstop flights from Frankfurt to Seattle (SEA). Visit meilenrechner.de to calculate how many miles you can earn on a return flight. lufthansa.com

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Best time to visit

Today: Thursday, 21.03.2019 22:00 UTC

partly cloudy

temperature

10°C

wind direction

south

wind speed

8.125 mph

humidity

69%

7 days forecast

Friday

22.03.2019

19°C / 9°C

Saturday

23.03.2019

15°C / 7°C

Sunday

24.03.2019

15°C / 6°C

Monday

25.03.2019

12°C / 6°C

Tuesday

26.03.2019

17°C / 5°C

Wednesday

27.03.2019

15°C / 5°C

Thursday

28.03.2019

13°C / 6°C

Climate & best time to visit the United States of America

The United States has varied weather conditions, and the best time to visit depends both upon the location and the season. Spring (March, April, May) and autumn (September and October) are generally cooler, more comfortable times to visit. Summer months – June, July, and August – are generally hot regardless of the region, but winter temperatures (November-February) can vary substantially depending upon the part of the US you are visiting. The southern part of the country tends to be warmer in the winter than the north. The general climate of the continental US is temperate, but keep in mind that Hawaii is tropical and Alaska is arctic. Many of the country’s dependent territories, such as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, are also tropical.

Summer is considered the peak tourist season throughout the country; other popular travel times are major American holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as Easter Week and the school holiday known as Spring Break. Certain destinations, such as New York, are perennial favourites and are busy year-round; even when the weather may not be pleasant, these destinations have particular attractions or experiences that always draw travellers. In some parts of the country, travel services may be limited during the low or off-season, largely due to weather conditions.

Phone calls & Internet

Telephone/Mobile Telephone

Dialing Code: +1

Telephone

Public telephones have become a rarity, but can still be found here and there. They take coins, telephone cards and credit cards. If you are planning to make regular use of public phones, it’s best to purchase a prepaid calling card from one of the many U.S. providers.

Mobile Telephone

Not all European cell phones work on the American network, since it requires a tri-band or quad-band device. Full network coverage is not always assured outside densely populated areas. Roaming charges are high here, so it is often cheaper to buy a SIM card from a U.S. provider. Low-cost prepaid SIM cards for making calls inside the country can be ordered online before you travel.

Internet

Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using unencrypted public Wi-Fi networks, it is not advisable to enter passwords, credit card details or banking credentials. We recommend using VPN app or security software to check Wi-Fi hotspots.

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Shopping in Seattle

Key Areas

The popular high-street chains can be found in the downtown shopping area around 4th and 5th avenues. For boutiques and independent shops, head to the northern Ballard and affluent Queen Anne districts. Vintage shops abound in Capitol Hill.

Markets

Pike Place Market has being going since 1907 and boasts a formidable farmers market, with superb fresh fish. The Sunday market in Fremont is said to be the city’s oldest and is known for delightful oddness.

Shopping Centres

Famous department stores Macy’s and Nordstrom can be found downtown.

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Traveller etiquette

Social Conventions

Americans are renowned for their openness and friendliness to visitors. The wide variety of national origins and the USA’s relatively short history has resulted in numerous cultural and traditional customs living alongside each other. In large cities, people of the same ethnic background often live within defined communities.

Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting in formal situations and in business meetings. As long as the fundamental rules of courtesy are observed, there need be no fear of offending anyone of any background.

Gifts are appreciated if one is invited to a private home.

As a rule, dress is casual. High-end restaurants, hotels and clubs may require more formal attire.

Smoking is increasingly unpopular in the US; it is essential to ask permission before lighting up. Smoking is not allowed on city transport and restricted or forbidden in public buildings in most states. There will be a posted notice where no smoking is requested. An increasing number of states (including California and New York) have banned smoking altogether in bars, restaurants and many public places.

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Health

Main emergency number: 911

Food & Drink

Food in the US is safe to eat, and the conditions under which food is prepared and served are regulated by city, state, and federal health and hygiene agencies. In many jurisdictions, it is mandatory for restaurants to have a certificate of health or hygiene, as well as the current grade they have been assigned, posted visibly.

Although America is famous for its fast food and obesity rates, the local and fresh food movement is very popular in many areas, especially cities, making it easy to eat healthy. A variety of options also makes it easy for people with special dietary needs to find food that suits them, whether their needs are due to health reasons or to religious requirements.

Tap water is considered safe to drink in the US and is often offered in restaurants before bottled water. Bottled water is available throughout the country, however, both in restaurants and shops, for those who prefer not to drink tap water.

Other Risks

The US is generally considered a safe destination for world visitors. Occasional outbreaks of disease, such as West Nile Virus (a mosquito-borne illness) and H1N1 have occurred in recent years, however. Frequent hand-washing and general practices of good hygiene are encouraged to protect oneself against all types of illness.

Another concern with regard to safety is the possibility of terrorist attacks such as the one that occurred on September 11, 2001. City, state, and federal agencies have stringent anti-terrorism practices in place, however, and direct threats are infrequent.

Contractual physician of Lufthansa

Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment.

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Visa & Immigration

IATA Travel Centre

The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.